A man wanders through Kabul trying to sell his balloons on Oct. 17, 2011. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

January 6, 2013

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These striking images of balloons weren't taken at your kid's 5th birthday party in a cushy cul-de-sac somewhere in middle America. These photos were shot passing by the Ravi river in Lahore, or on a dirt road in Kabul. In many parts of the world, balloon sellers roam the streets, struggling to make a living as they sell wonderfully colorful tokens to passersby. But while doing so, they manage to bring a sense of fun and playfulness to what otherwise might be a rather grim landscape. Take a look at these delightful photos from around the globe: